Air cylinder for indexing ratchet stops and the like



April 1951 A. M. LOUNGWAY 2,547,029

AIR CYLINDER FOR INDEXING RATCHET STOPS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 5, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I11 rel/tor Arthur M. Loungway April 3, 1951 A. M. LOUNGWAY AIR CYLINDER FOR INDEXING RATCHET STOPS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 5 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Arthur M. Loungway Patented Apr. 3, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AIR CYLINDER FOR INDEXING RATCHET STOPS AND THE LIKE This invention relates to an air cylinder such as is employed for indexing ratchet stops or the like on machines such as grinders, indexing machines, punch presses and the like.

A primary object of the invention is to accelerate the speed of action of air cylinders of the type to which this invention relates.

Another object is to regulate the length of stroke of the piston rod of an air cylinder without requiring that the air cylinder or machine on which it is employed be in any way altered or dismantled.

A further object is to eject work from punch presses or the like with accuracy and rapidity.

The above and other objects may be attained rod carried by the piston and extending outwardly through the axial bore, a normally open air pressure exhaust valve in the vented transverse bore and a normally closed air pressure inlet valve in the other transverse bore.

Other features include means automatically to close the exhaust valve in advance of the opening of the pressure inlet valve, an electromagnet for actuating the valve actuating means, and a needle valve'to regulate the flow of pressure fluid through the port which communicates with the axial bore and the transverse bore containing the inlet valve.

Other features include adjustable means to regulate the length of the advanced stroke of the piston, and means to return the piston to initial position when the exhaust valve is opened.

.3 In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a side view of an air cylinder and control mechanism embodying the features of this invention,

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the cylinder illustrated in Figure 1, certain portions being broken away more clearly to illustrate certain details of construction, 1

Figure 3 is a front end view of the air cylinder illustrated in Figures 1 and 2,

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of Figure 1,

2 Claims. (Cl. 121-38) Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 of Figure 1, and

Figure '7 is a perspective view of the valve actuating lever.

Referring to the drawings in detail this improved air cylinder designated generally l0 comprises a body block I l formed with an axial bore 52 equipped with a cylinder liner l3 as will be readily understood upon reference to Figure 5 and 6. As shown the axial bore l2 extends inwardly into the body block i I from one end thereof and terminates short of the opposite end oi said body block. Extending transversely through the body block I I are spaced parallel openings l4 and it which lie along spaced parallel axes which extend in a plane lying perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bore !2. Formed in the block It and establishing communication between the bore I2 and each bore l4 and I5 are ports I! and M3 by which communication is established between the axial bore l2 and the transverse bores. Extending through the side wall of the body block H and opening into the transverse bore I4 is a vent IQ for a purpose to be more fully hereinafter described. Extending upwardly from the body block ll near the end entered by the bore I2 is a bracket 2B the upper end of which is pierced to receive a pivot pin 2! the purpose of which will more fully hereinafter appear. Formed on the end of the body block I l opposite that entered by the bore l2 is a rectangular frame 22 in which a solenoid 23 is supported. This solenoid is connected to insulated conductors and any suitable circuit closing device (not shown) with a source of electric power so that when the circuit is closed the sol noid will be energized to move the armature 25 thereof into the core. The upper or outer end of the armature 25 is equipped with spaced parallel ears 2% and a cross pin 21 extends transversely between the ears 26 and in spaced relation to the upper end of the armature.

Pivotally supported on the pivot pin 2| is a lever arm 28 the end of which opposite the pivoted end projects through an enlarged opening in one end Wall of the frame 22 and lies between the pin 21 and the upper end of the armature 25 so that when the armature is depressed through the energization thereof the lever arm 28 will be moved about its pivot 2i. A compression coil spring 29 extends between the lever arm and the exterior of the cylinder body block ll yieldingly to urge th lever arm 28 upwardly and against the action of the solenoid. Extending laterally from the lever arm 28 at a point substantially midway between opposite ends thereof is a finger 30 which when the lever arm is lowered is adapted to engage and open the pressure inlet valve to be more fully hereinafter described. Pivotally supported as at 3| on the frame 22 above the lever arm 28 is a rock arm 32, one end of which is adapted to be engaged by the finger 39 when the lever is held upwardly under the influence of the spring 29. The end of the rock arm 32 opposite that which contacts the finger 30 intersects the longitudinal axis of the bore 14 and is adapted to be engaged by the valve stem of the exhaust valve to be more fully hereinafter described.

Mounted for longitudinal sliding movement within the piston liner [3 is a piston 33 carrying a piston rod 3 This rod 3 extends axially from the piston 33 outwardly through a cylinder head 35 and an externally screw threaded tubular boss 36 carried thereby which extends outwardly therefrom in axial alignment with the piston rod. Formed in the cylinder head 35 in spaced concentric relation about the boss 35 is an annular row of radially spaced openings 3? through which stop rods 35 enter the bore I2. outer ends of these stop rods are fixed in a follower -ring39 which rides longitudinally of the boss 36 and is adapted to abut an adjusting nut 4e threaded on the boss. The inner ends of the stop rods 38 are adapted to contact the piston 33 as the latter moves outwardly under the influence of fluid under pressure admitted to the bore l2,

so as'tolimit the stroke of the piston and piston rod to suit varying conditions.

When the nut is advanced to a point nearest the head 35, the inn'erends of the stop rods 38 will hold piston 33 against any longitudinal movement, but when the nut 42'? is retracted to its fullest extent with relation to the head 35 the full stroke of the piston will be obtained. A compression coil spring GI encircles the piston rod 34 between the piston 33 and the head 35, yieldingly to urge the piston toward bore which extends longitudinally through the cage 2 and communicates at its upper end with the recess in which the packing gland is fitted and at its lower end with an enlarged bore 41 enter- .ing the valve cage 42 from the end opposite the packin gland. A valve seat 48 is formed at the junction of the bores 46 and 57 and carried on the end of the valve stem 45 which enters the bore 27 is a valve 49 which is adapted to cooperate with the seat 8 in arresting the new of fluid through the cage. A compression coil spring 58 bears at one endon the valve es while its opposite end is'supported on a springring 5! which seats in an annular groove formed in the cage 42 intermediate the upper and lower ends of the bore ll. The end of the bore 4'! opposite that terminating in the valve seat as is internally screw threaded for the reception of a coupling nipple 52 by means of which the device may be coupled to a, suitable source of air pressure supply (not shown) -Formedin theperiphery of the cage 42 near the valve seat .8 is an annular groove 53 and radial passages 55 establish communication betwe e n 4 the annular groove 53 and the axial bore 46 so that when the valve 49 is opened fluid will flow through the pipe or nipple 52, the bore 41 and bore 46 thence outwardly through the passages 54 and the passage formed by the annular groove 53 and port 53 into the bore i2 behind the piston 33. Fitted in the bore I4 is the cage 56 of the exhaust valve which comprises a cylindrical body having a bore 5? entering one end which communicates at its inner end with an enlarged longitudinally extending axial bore 58 the opposite end of which communicates with a further enlarged axial bore 59 thelower end of which is internally threaded to'receive plug Bil. The junction of the bores 58 and 59 is tapered to form a valve seat 5! for a valve 62 carried at the lower end of a valve stem 63 which extends upwardly through the bores 58 "and 51 and to a point immediately below the. bottom edge of the rock arm 32 as will be readily understood upon reference to Figure .Formedin the periphery of the cage 56 near opposite ends are annular grooves 64 and '65. Radial passages 66 and 6'? are formed in the cage 55 to establish communication between the longitudinal bores 58 nd 59 with the passages formed by the walls of the grooves 34 and $5 and the wall of the transverse bore 14. The groove 65 is so located that communication is established between the interior of the bore 58 and atmosphere through the vent 9. The groove 86 is solocated as to establish communication with the interior of the axial bore 52 through the port I? and it will thus be seen that when the valve 52 isTlit'ted off of its seat 6% any air contained within the axial bore l2 may be exhausted through the vent H]. A compression coil spring 68 rests on the plug 853 and bears against the end of the valve 62 0p posite the stem so that the valve is normally urged into closed position and yieldingly so held by the spring. When the valve is in closed position the stem 53 thereof is yieldingly projected into contact with the rock arm 32, and with the rock arm at rest as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the valve 62 is held in an open position as will be readily understood upon reference to Figure 4.

A suitable attaching ear 69 projects outwardly from the frame 22 to serve as a mounting means by which the air cylinder may be attached to any suitable support on the machine for which it is to be used.

In use the nipple 32 is coupled in any source of air pressure supply and the insulated conductors 24 are connected through a suitable switch means to a convenient power outlet with the air cylinder attached to the machine in working position. Upon closing the circuit ithrough'the solenoid 23 it will be obvious that the armature 25 thereof will be moved against the spring '29, thus freeing the rock arm 32 to enable it to rock about its pivot 3|. Pressure on the upper end of the valve stem 63 will thus be released and the stem 63 with the valve 62 will move upwardly under the influence of the spring 68 until the valve 62 seats against the seat 6|. Such upward movement of the valve stem 63 will cause the rock arm 32 to rock about the pivot 3| out of its straight horizontal position. Immediately following the seating of the ,valve 62 against the seat 5|, the finger 30 conjusting the thumb nut 40 longitudinally on the stem or boss 36 so that the stop rods 38 may be pushed through their respective openings 31 until the follower 39 contacts the thumb nut 40. It is obvious that the magnitude of movement of the piston 33 and piston rod 34 may be varied even with the cylinder or axial bore [2 containing air under pressure so that the piston is in an advanced position. In this way the length of stroke may accurately be regulated to suit conditions under which the piece of equipment is to operate. By reason of the short distance between the opposite ends of the ports I! and I8 it is obvious that the piston 33 may be reciprocated with extreme rapidity as there is no appreciable time lag between the opening of the valve 49 and the flow of the air into the bore 12. In order that the flow of fluid through the port l8 may be regulated I provide a needle valve 10 of conventional form which enters the block of the spring 29 thus causing the finger 30 to engage the end of the rock arm 32 remote from the valve stem 63 so as to cause the rock arm 32 to rock about its pivot 3| and depress the valve stem 63 against the effort of the spring 68 and unseat the valve 62 from the seat 6| to permit air contained in cylinder H to escape to atmosphere through the vent [9.

While in the foregoing there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of this invention it is to be understood that minor changes in the details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. An air cylinder for indexing ratchet stops or the like which includes a body block having an axial bore entering one end, said block having a pair of transverse bores extending therethrough which lie along spaced parallel axes lying in a plane perpendicular to the axial bore near the inner end thereof and a relatively short port establishing communication between each transverse bore and the axial bore, one of said transverse bores being vented to atmosphere, a piston in the cylinder, a piston rod carried by the piston and extending outwardly through the axial bore, a normally open air pressure exhaust valve in the vented transverse bore and a normally closed air pressure inlet valve in the other transverse bore, a lever pivotally supported on the frame, means yieldably to hold said lever elevated, electromagnetic means for depressing the lever, a finger extending laterally from the lever intermediate its ends for opening the inlet valve when the lever is depressed and means actuated by the finger for holding the exhaust valve open when the lever is elevated.

2. An air cylinder for indexing ratchet stops or the like which includes a body block having an axial bore entering one end, said block having a pair of transverse bores extending therethrough which lie along spaced parallel axes lying in a plane perpendicular to the axial bore near the inner end thereof and a relatively short port establishing communication between each transverse bore and the axial bore, one of said transverse bores being vented toatmosphere, a piston in the cylinder, a piston rod carried by the piston and extending outwardly through the axial bore, a normally open air pressure exhaust valve in the vented transverse bore and a normally closed air pressure inlet valve in the other transverse bore, a lever pivotally supported on the frame, means yieldably to hold said lever elevated, a finger extending laterally from the lever intermediate its ends for opening the inlet valve when the lever is depressed and means actuated by the finger for holding the exhaust valve open when the lever is elevated.

ARTHUR M. LOUNGWAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 926,142 Schodde June 29, 1909 971,207 Michel Sept. 27, 1910 1,051,768 Rumold Jan. 28, 1913 1,324,558 Lang ,Dec. 9, 1919 1,466,399 Hudson Aug. 28, 1923 1,903,426 Hinz Apr. 11, 1933 2,232,038 Stone Feb. 18, 1941 2,433,719 Van Sittert Dec. 30, 1947 

